Discover Art, Culture, and Innovation at the Edison Festival of Light in Ft. Myers

The Edison Festival of Light, now in its 88th year, has officially kicked off in the Ft. Myers/Naples area, offering a dazzling celebration that honors the legacy of one of the greatest inventors of all time, Thomas Edison. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and brighter than ever, with nearly a month of activities that celebrate Edison’s contributions while bringing the local community and visitors together for an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor from afar, this annual festival offers something for everyone, from stunning garden displays to captivating nighttime parades and thrilling cultural events.

A Month-Long Celebration

The Edison Festival of Light spans nearly an entire month, making it an excellent opportunity for locals and tourists alike to experience the rich history and vibrant culture of Ft. Myers/Naples, Florida. This year’s festival has officially begun and runs through the entire month of February, offering a wide array of activities that celebrate Thomas Edison’s incredible achievements in science, technology, and innovation. The festival brings together people of all ages, inviting them to partake in one-of-a-kind events that both educate and entertain.

One of the most anticipated attractions of the festival is the Edison Garden Festival, a true celebration of the beauty of nature. The garden festival presents stunning displays of plants, flowers, and landscapes that transform the area into a lush, vibrant outdoor space. Visitors can wander through the many themed gardens, relax in shaded areas, and enjoy the meticulously curated plant displays. The garden festival creates a relaxing, picturesque atmosphere, making it the perfect way to start or end a day filled with festival excitement.

Explore Arts and Crafts at Crafts on the River

Another standout event of the Edison Festival of Light is Crafts on the River, which showcases the creativity and talent of artisans from across the region. This event features a variety of handcrafted items, including jewelry, pottery, textiles, and artwork. It’s a perfect opportunity for festival-goers to purchase unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect the rich culture and artistic spirit of the area. Whether you’re looking to buy a special souvenir, find a gift for a loved one, or simply enjoy the arts, Crafts on the River is a must-see event. The festival’s marketplace is filled with stalls offering everything from beautiful handcrafted home décor to finely crafted jewelry, making it a shopper’s paradise.

A Parade Like No Other

Perhaps the most iconic part of the Edison Festival of Light is its Grand Parade, which is known as the largest nighttime parade in the Southeastern United States. The parade is the crown jewel of the festival, attracting thousands of spectators each year. This dazzling display of illuminated floats, marching bands, performers, and entertainers is a sight to behold. The parade’s brightly lit floats are adorned with creative designs that reflect Edison’s legacy and the spirit of innovation. The rhythmic beats of the marching bands, along with the sparkling lights, create an atmosphere of excitement and energy that fills the streets.

The Grand Parade is an event that captivates both locals and visitors alike, as it brings together the best of Florida’s creativity and talent. Whether you’re watching from the sidelines or participating in the festivities, the parade is a fantastic way to experience the magic of the Edison Festival of Light. The nighttime procession takes on a life of its own, with lights twinkling in the darkness and the sounds of music and cheering filling the air. It’s truly a spectacle that lights up the night and provides an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

A Fun Experience for All Ages

In addition to the garden festival, crafts, and parade, the Edison Festival of Light offers a variety of other events that cater to all interests and ages. The Classic Car Show is another beloved highlight of the festival, where car enthusiasts and history buffs can admire vintage vehicles that represent different eras of American automotive history. The car show offers a glimpse into the past with classic models, shiny chrome, and engines that harken back to a bygone era.

The Edison Festival of Light is a family-friendly event that offers something for everyone. Children can enjoy interactive exhibits, face painting, and fun carnival rides, while adults can appreciate the historical exhibits and artistic displays that pay tribute to Thomas Edison’s groundbreaking inventions. From the community atmosphere to the breathtaking performances, the festival brings people together and offers a true celebration of creativity, history, and innovation.

Join the Fun in Ft. Myers/Naples

The Edison Festival of Light is not just an event—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the spirit of innovation that Thomas Edison embodied. It’s an opportunity for locals and visitors to come together and enjoy all that Ft. Myers and Naples have to offer. Whether you’re attending the Edison Garden Festival, strolling through the Crafts on the River market, or dancing along to the music in the Grand Parade, the festival offers a wide range of activities for all ages and interests. The event is a reflection of the region’s commitment to honoring its history while embracing the future.

The festival runs for nearly a month, providing plenty of opportunities to experience the fun. So whether you’re in town for a few days or have the entire month to explore, make sure to carve out some time to experience the Edison Festival of Light. The combination of beautiful gardens, talented artisans, thrilling parades, and exciting cultural events ensures that every moment will be filled with joy and discovery. The festival offers a unique and immersive way to experience the magic of Ft. Myers/Naples, making it an event not to be missed!

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Global Medical Tourism and Insurance Summit 2026: The Industry’s Most Influential Gathering: All You Need To Know

The Global Medical Tourism & Insurance Summit 2026 will be held in Florida, USA, from May 13 to May 14, 2026, and will bring together more than 200 top executives from the medical tourism and insurance industries. The event functions as a business summit which enables medical tourism leaders, healthcare delivery experts and insurance specialists to participate in advanced talks and establish business partnerships.

A Platform for Strategic Deal-Making

The summit stands apart from traditional conferences, offering curated attendance with senior leaders from global healthcare systems, insurance companies, employers, medical tourism facilitators, and government bodies. It’s designed to foster meaningful business interactions, where major deals and collaborations are initiated, negotiated, and finalised. The closed-door format encourages candid conversations and confidential discussions around the future of cross-border healthcare and international patient flows.

At the heart of the summit is the goal of creating lasting connections and partnerships that will shape the medical tourism landscape for the year ahead. The gathering will see leadership from top global players, including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and leading hospital CEOs, making it the must-attend event for those shaping the future of healthcare tourism.

Why Attend?

The Global Medical Tourism & Insurance Summit is intentionally selective in its attendance, inviting only the most influential leaders in the industry. This exclusive format ensures that every participant has direct access to decision-makers who control patient flows, insurance coverage, and international healthcare partnerships. The curated networking sessions, including 1,000+ one-on-one meetings, provide opportunities for tangible business development and collaboration.

Participants will engage in discussions focused on real-world challenges, opportunities, and innovative solutions in the realm of medical tourism, including the future of insurance in cross-border care, employer healthcare strategies, and the integration of digital health solutions. These conversations will help establish the direction of the industry and set the stage for new healthcare delivery models.

Focused on Senior Leaders and Global Collaboration

This summit is exclusively designed for senior decision-makers, including CEOs, healthcare system leaders, insurance executives, and those responsible for medical travel and global patient mobility. The event’s emphasis on high-level engagement and structured deal-making enables participants to establish real collaborations and partnerships that impact both the healthcare sector and the medical tourism industry.

With a closed-door environment, the summit ensures that attendees can have focused, outcome-driven discussions without the distractions of larger conferences. The curated environment maximises the effectiveness of these conversations, helping decision-makers forge strategic alliances that will shape the future of medical tourism and cross-border healthcare.

Innovations and Strategic Insights for 2026 and Beyond

The 2026 summit comes at a crucial time, with the global healthcare landscape evolving rapidly. From telemedicine and AI-driven diagnostics to policy changes and insurance coverage reforms, cross-border healthcare is being transformed by technology, patient expectations, and changing regulatory environments. The summit will explore these themes, with experts and thought leaders discussing the future of medical tourism, the role of insurance, and the strategies employed by leading medical tourism facilitators.

As global patient mobility continues to grow, the summit will examine regional trends and emerging markets that are shaping the future of medical tourism. Notably, regions such as Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are experiencing rapid growth in medical tourism, offering new opportunities for partnerships and investments.

Exclusive Access and Business Development Opportunities

The exclusive nature of the summit means that attendees will have direct access to leaders who influence global patient flows, insurance coverage, and international healthcare partnerships. The one-to-one meetings, along with structured discussions and networking opportunities, will create an environment conducive to forming long-term business relationships. As the medical tourism industry continues to grow, this summit will serve as a critical point for those wanting to shape the future of healthcare delivery and patient care globally.

An Essential Event for Industry Leaders

The Global Medical Tourism & Insurance Summit is scheduled to take place in 2026 as its most important event which will create exceptional chances for business deals, professional connections and industry partnerships between medical tourism and insurance professionals. The summit serves as the top international platform where leaders establish future cross-border healthcare developments while creating permanent international partnerships. The medical tourism industry requires its stakeholders to attend this summit so they can understand upcoming industry trends.

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Air Canada, PAL Airlines, and WestJet Cancel 26 Flights at St. John’s International Airport, Leaving Passengers Stranded in Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Orlando, Goose Bay, and Beyond

Air Canada, PAL Airlines, and WestJet have caused significant disruption at St. John’s International Airport by cancelling 26 flights, leaving many passengers stranded. The cancellations have affected travelers on flights to key cities such as Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Orlando, and Goose Bay, among others. As a result, many have been left uncertain about their next steps, facing long delays or rebooking issues. This mass flight disruption highlights the ongoing challenges that passengers face at major airports. The airlines, while working to rebook affected travelers, have yet to provide clear solutions for the hundreds impacted. St. John’s International Airport, a critical hub for both local and international flights, has become the epicenter of this chaos. Travelers across Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, and other locations are anxiously waiting for updates, with many facing unexpected hardships due to these unforeseen cancellations.

Affected Cities

The cities are St. John’s, Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Orlando, Goose Bay, and Deer Lake. These cities are linked to the reported flight cancellations and delays at their respective airports, including St. John’s International (YYT), Toronto Pearson International (YYZ), Halifax International (YHZ), Montreal-Trudeau (YUL), Orlando International (MCO), CFB Goose Bay (YYR), and Deer Lake Regional. These locations are critical hubs for air travel and have been significantly impacted by the disruptions highlighted in the data. Each city plays a key role in the region’s aviation network and passenger travel experience.

Flight Cancellations

Airline	Cancelled	Cancelled (%)	Delayed	Delayed (%)
Air Canada	12	100%	0	0%
PAL Airlines	12	66%	0	0%
WestJet	2	66%	0	0%

Affected Airlines

The airlines are Air Canada, PAL Airlines, and WestJet. These carriers are responsible for the 26 flight cancellations at St. John’s International Airport, significantly impacting passengers traveling to and from various cities. Air Canada, with its extensive domestic and international network, is a major player in these disruptions, alongside PAL Airlines and WestJet, two prominent carriers serving key Canadian routes. These airlines, while working to address the situation, have left many passengers stranded in cities like Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, and Orlando. The cancellations have created confusion and delays, emphasizing the challenges that these airlines face during unexpected disruptions.

Overview of Flight Cancellations

The significant flight cancellations affecting St. John’s International Airport (YYT), with Air Canada, PAL Airlines, and WestJet being the primary carriers involved. A total of 26 flights were cancelled, creating a ripple effect across several key cities and disrupting travel plans for passengers.

Air Canada reported the highest number of cancellations, with 12 flights being affected. These cancellations resulted in 100% of its scheduled flights being impacted, leaving travelers stranded and without clear solutions. PAL Airlines, on the other hand, cancelled 12 flights, which accounted for 66% of its total flights, also creating a major inconvenience for passengers. WestJet had 2 cancellations, which made up 66% of its scheduled flights at the time.

The ripple effect of these cancellations stretched beyond St. John’s, impacting major cities like Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Orlando, and Goose Bay. Passengers from these cities experienced significant delays and had to navigate the uncertainty of rebooking or waiting for further updates from the airlines.

These cancellations are a stark reminder of how quickly disruptions can cascade through a global aviation network, especially when major carriers are involved. Despite ongoing efforts from the airlines to manage the situation and offer alternative flights, the passengers left stranded face the frustrating challenge of dealing with the aftermath of this widespread disruption.

The 26 flight cancellations at St. John’s International Airport by Air Canada, PAL Airlines, and WestJet have caused significant disruption for passengers. With key destinations such as Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Orlando, and Goose Bay affected, many travelers have been left stranded or delayed. While the airlines are working to rebook passengers, the ongoing uncertainty highlights the challenges faced by both airlines and travelers during unexpected disruptions. As the situation evolves, it underscores the importance of clear communication and efficient solutions to mitigate the impact on affected passengers.

Source: FlightAware and affected airports

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Florida will open the gates to its state parks for four days of free admission this February, inviting residents and visitors to explore historic landscapes tied to the nation’s earliest chapters. The Florida Department of […]